Miscellaneous on TSIs

EUs Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) specifies technical rules for the subsystems of the European railway. TS normally apply these regulations by authorisation of railway vehicles and infrastructure, se web side "Technical authorisation". There are also some s.k. functional TSIs which specifies operational rules.

In former times the railways was manufactured according national technical rules. The objective of the European TSIs are to standardize components and subsystems to reduce costs and make the railway more competitive, and also to remove administrative and technical barriers between the member states. The TSI are mandatory for railways, but not for trams, metros and functionally separated suburban railway systems (Roslagsbanan and Saltsjöbanan).

Functional subsystems

The Railway system contents of several subsystems. The functional subsystems defined by the directive are:

  • Operation and traffic management
  • Maintenance
  • Telematic applications for freight traffic
  • Telematic applications for passenger traffic.

The subsystems Operation and traffic management, Maintenance and Telematics are s.k. functional subsystems for which authorisations are not necessary. For the subsystem Maintenance there are no TSI, the requirements are specified in other TSIs.

You will find the TSIs for the structural TSIs under the web side "Technical authorisation"

TSI Operation and traffic management (EU) 2020/783

TSI Telematic applications for passenger service (EU) 2019/775

TSI Telematic applications for freight (EU) 2019/778

ERA has published a guide for application of TSIs with two annexes. One for assessment of compability and one with examples of TSI applications in different phases of a project.

Assessment modules for TSIs

De granskningsmoduler som ska tillämpas vid granskning mot TSD:er finns beskrivet i nedan dokument.

In the link below the assessment modules for assessment of subsystems against TSIs are given.

Commission decision (2010/713/EU) on modules for the procedures for assessment of conformity, suitability for use and EC verification to be used in the technical specifications for interoperability link.

Application of derogation from TSI

If the subsystem cannot fulfill some TSI requirements, there is a small possibility to apply for a derogation from TSI requirements. This is normally only applicable for projects in an advance state when the TSI went into force. The TSIs specifies transition rules and time limits. Project which has derogations which are inside the transition rules does not need derogations.

The directive specifies that the Commission may decide on a derogation for any proposed renewal, extension or upgrading of an existing subsystem, when the application of these TSIs would compromise the economic viability of the project. However the Commission has only accepted very few derogations of this type. There are some other reasons for derogations, but they are not applicable in Sweden.